Ace helps Kelly post major win
Jerry Kelly seized control at the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship with a hole-in-one on the 12th hole, sending him to a 1-underpar 69 and a two-shot victory Sunday for his first major on the PGA Tour Champions.
Kelly was clinging to a one-shot lead over Scott Parel when he hit a soft cut with a 5-iron that landed in front of the hole and rolled in for an ace, eliciting a shout from one volunteer around the green at Firestone Country Club in Akron.
From there, Kelly was on his way. His only big mistake came on the 18th when he could afford it. He found a bunker off the tee, his next shot hit a tree and dropped into rough below the limbs. He did well to get into the fringe and took three putts for a double bogey, knowing that was enough to win.
Kelly, who finished at 3 under, and Parel were the only players to finish under par on the South Course at Firestone.
PGA Tour
Jim Herman rallied to win the Wyndham Championship and secure a spot in the Fedex Cup playoffs, shooting a 7-under 63 for a one-stroke victory over Billy Horshel.
Known for his friendship with President Donald Trump, Herman overcame a four-stroke deficit in the final round at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina. He overtook Horschel with a birdie on the 71st hole.
The 42-year-old Herman finished at 21-under 259.
Horschel closed with a 65. He had a final chance to tie on the 72nd hole, but his 8-foot birdie putt slid left of the cup.
Si Woo Kim, the third-round leader, shot a 70 to tie for third at 18 under with Kevin Kisner (64), Webb Simpson (65) and Doc Redman (68).
PGA European Tour
Sam Horsfield won the Celtic Classic for his second European Tour victory in three weeks, closing with 4-under 67 in fading light for a two-stroke victory in Newport, Wales.
The 24-year-old Englishman finished at 18-under 277. Belgium’s Thomas Detry was second after a 67.
US Amateur
Tyler Strafaci won the U.S. Amateur at foggy Bandon Dunes in Bandon, Oregon, by beating Charles “Ollie” Osborne 1-up.
Strafaci, the rising Georgia Tech senior, earned spots next year on the U.S. Walker Cup team and in the British Open after both finalists got spots next year in the Masters and U.S. Open.